<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM RIVER
HOLDING CORP. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000 DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JUL-01-2000 JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000 SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 0 1,804
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 37,221
<ALLOWANCES> 0 (1,281)
<INVENTORY> 0 35,139
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 76,580
<PP&E> 0 56,412
<DEPRECIATION> 0 (19,694)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 0 351,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 (38,460)
<BONDS> 0 (115,000)
0 (38,644)
0 0
<COMMON> 0 (91,748)
<OTHER-SE> 0 18,997
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 0 (72,751)
<SALES> (41,111) (113,279)
<TOTAL-REVENUES> (41,111) (113,279)
<CGS> 19,587 56,915
<TOTAL-COSTS> 14,879 40,942
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 191
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,812 16,087
<INCOME-PRETAX> (833) 406
<INCOME-TAX> 271 18
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (562) (424)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (562) (424)
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>